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Tearing Down Strongholds Through Prayer
2 • Winning the Mind Wars
IntroductIon
Our minds are under constant attack. I believe that the enemy of
this world wants to claim our thoughts and take us away from God’s
Truth, so it is my goal for this booklet to give you a solution so that you
can fend off the attack, win the Mind Wars and defeat the enemy.
The PreScripture (a prescription from Scripture) Prayers in this
booklet will bring you healing from the strongholds that can so easily
set up residence in our minds and holds us captive. These PreScripture
Prayers can be a significant part of your healing process. You can read
them, memorize them and use them as frequently as you need in order
to utterly destroy strongholds and fully experience the life Jesus came
to give you.
God bless you,
Steve Berger
understandIng strongholds
The BattleProverbs 23:7 says, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.”
The word translated thinks in the above verse means, “to be a cal-
culator.” It also means, “to act as a gatekeeper.”1 As believers in Jesus
Christ, we are called to be gatekeepers. And as the gatekeepers of
our minds, we have to calculate and estimate the spiritual, holy and
eternal value of the thoughts we’re thinking. While none of us can com-
pletely control the thoughts we think, we can control what we do with
our thoughts. We can choose to do the godly thing. We can choose to
fight the battle.
The enemy, Satan, wants to control and take possession of our
thoughts. He wants to take our focus away from God’s, Word, will and
ways and focus us instead on thoughts that are rooted in his scheming,
devilish ways. The good news is—we are equipped to fight this war!
The apostle Paul writes in Romans 12:2: “And do not be conformed
to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you
may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
1 James Strong, Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2009), E-sword electronic edition.
Tearing Down Strongholds Through Prayer • 3
Paul is telling us that we can renew our minds, and avoid being shaped
by the enemy’s attacks. “Be transformed.” This means to be changed
into something that is of a quality that we’ve never known before. The
verse contains the word metamorphosis—known in biology as “a pro-
nounced change in both the internal and the external form of an animal
during normal development.”2
“Be renewed.” Transformation comes from renewing our minds.
“Prove.” God causes real change when we don’t think as we used to
think. The battle hinges on what we do with our minds. Do we accept the
whispers of the enemy, or do we seek to continually renew our minds
with God’s thoughts, ways and will?
StrongholdsOur definition of a stronghold is: A satanic lie. A generational mindset
or a human wounding that you have listened to long enough, believed strongly enough and owned deeply enough that it has become part of your identity. It has fortified itself in you and dictates your thoughts, beliefs, actions and reactions. It is an unholy filter through which all thoughts pass. Strongholds
can include feelings of shame, condemnation, unforgiveness, rejection,
depression, addiction, pride, unbelief, anger and defeat.
Isaiah 36 gives us an excellent picture of how a stronghold works.
King Hezekiah was a godly king who was being threatened by the Assyr-
ian armies. For nearly four long years, the enemy held Hezekiah and his
people under siege. In Isaiah 36 we see how:
• The enemy attacks with intimidation and doubt, and whispering
(vv. 4–5).
• Weak resources bring doubt to spiritual authority and question
those in authority (vv. 6–7).
• The enemy feigns compromise (vv. 8–9).
• The enemy speaks lies, supported by circumstances (v. 10).
• The enemy’s voice causes the people to panic. They are fearful
(v. 11).
• The enemy capitalizes on the people’s fears (v. 12).
• The enemy intimidates (v. 13).
• The enemy attacks the king’s character and capabilities (v. 14).
2 Hazel Davies and Carol Butler, Do Butterflies Bite? Fascinating Answers to Questions about Butterflies and Moths, (Piscataway, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 2008), 68.
4 • Winning the Mind Wars
• The enemy plants doubts (v. 15).
• Making a pledge with the enemy doesn’t create peace or
prosperity. It only increases and intensifies the problems (vv.
16–17).
• The enemy uses false persuasion and “devilish” proof (v. 18).
• The enemy uses a smokescreen (vv. 19–20).
• There is no conversing with the enemy (vv. 21–22).
See how the enemy intimidates, compromises, lies and plants
doubts? See how quickly and easily one can become trapped in a
stronghold?
God’s TruthIn 2 Corinthians 10:3–5 Paul writes, “For though we walk in the
flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our
warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,
casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against
the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obe-
dience of Christ.”We are engaged in a war. This is strong military lan-
guage, indicating that Paul is taking us into spiritual battle. The war is
not fought with fleshly tactics or strategies. It is NOT against fleshly
foes. Our war is against devilish forces.
“Weapons” is plural. We have many weapons and Ephesians
6:12–18 gives us seven weapons to defeat the enemy: truth, righteous-
ness, peace, faith, salvation, God’s Word and prayer.
Weapons are to pull down and cast down strongholds. This is vio-
lent language that means, “destroying to extinction.”Arguments stem from delusional reasoning. Coming from carnal, corrupt, darkened
and debased places in the mind. They are against God’s Truth and
want to argue with our faith.
We can take captives. We need to take these unholy thoughts
captive. We need to be gatekeepers and captive-taker-overs of our
thoughts.
Strongholds will submit to God. We can bring those thoughts be-
fore the truth, character and purpose of Christ and make them submis-
sively bow their knees in obedience to Him!
Tearing Down Strongholds Through Prayer • 5
Paul’s Guidelines for Our ThoughtsIn Philippians 4:8, Paul, writing while chained in prison, says that,
in order to win the mind wars, our thoughts need to be:
True: Truth combats lies and makes us and keeps us free.
Noble: Honorable, honest
Just: Innocent, holy
Pure: Modest, chaste
Lovely: Friendly, welcoming and accepting
Of good report: Reputable, well spoken
Virtuous: Excellence, valiant
Praiseworthy: Commendable, holy and good
Defeating StrongholdsIsaiah 37 gives us a clear picture of how we can defeat strong-
holds. After the enemy’s assault, Hezekiah went to prayer. He sent
messengers to the prophet Isaiah for a word from God, and God said,
“Don’t be afraid, the enemy will die in his own land.”
When the enemy responded with a last-ditch effort to discourage
him, Hezekiah went back to prayer and God’s Word and came again
declaring victory. Israel was victorious. Strongholds, arguments and
high things are pulled down to destruction through prayer, the Word
and the other spiritual weapons we’ve been given (see Ephesians 6). By
taking your thoughts captive, bringing them before the truth of Christ
and making them submissively bow the knee in obedience to Jesus,
you’ll pull down strongholds, keep defeated strongholds from resur-
recting and keep new ones from being established. That’s how you win
the Mind Wars!
PreScripture PrayersThe prayers on the next few pages are to help you pull down and
defeat strongholde. Just as Hezekiah defeated Israel’s enemy with
prayer and a word from God, so can you with these prayers.
We call them PreScripture Prayers because they are “prescrip-
tions” for health and wholeness with God, directly from His Word.
Whenever you feel you’re in battle with the enemy, pray these prayers
to help you prevent and pull down strongholds.
6 • Winning the Mind Wars
BreakIng the stronghold of Shame anD ConDemnaTion
A Christian’s identity as a sinner is a “before Christ” identity. A be-
liever is a saint who sins, not a sinner who sometimes “saints.” Shame
and condemnation are “before Christ” penalties; therefore they have no
place in our new life in Jesus.
1 Corinthians 15:10
Ephesians 2:8
Galatians 6:14
Ephesians 2:8–9
Hebrews 10:10,14
Romans 5:1
Colossians 1:21
2 Corinthians 5:17
1 Peter 2:9,10
2 Corinthians 5:21
Matthew 5:13
Matthew 5:14
Galatians 3:26
John 17:21
John 15:15
Ephesians 1:3–11
Ephesians 2:5–6
Ephesians 2:18
PreScripture Prayer for Shame and Condemnation
Father, I know that I am what I am
because of your grace alone.
It’s not because of my own works or effort.
My boast is in Jesus Christ alone.
Thank you for my salvation.
Thank you for my sanctification.
Thank you for my justification.
Thank you for my reconciliation.
Thank you for my identification.
I am a saint.
I am the righteousness of God in Christ.
I am the salt of the earth.
I am the light of the world.
I am a child of God.
I’ve been made one with God.
God calls me friend.
I know and believe that I am blessed, chosen,
holy, blameless, loved, adopted, accepted,
favored, redeemed, forgiven
and sealed with the Holy Spirit.
I know and believe I have been made alive
in Christ and raised to sit in heavenly
places in Christ, far above all demonic power.
I know and believe I have direct access
to You, Father.
Tearing Down Strongholds Through Prayer • 7
I know and believe that my inheritance
is guaranteed and that I am a fellow
citizen with the other saints
in the household of God.
Because I’m in Christ
I’m not condemned, now or ever.
Because I’m in Christ, there is no valid, con-
demning charge against me.
Because I’m in Christ, there is no shame
I’ll own, wear, or ever be put to.
I renounce the identity of “sinner.”
I renounce shame and condemnation.
I repent of believing lies that have held me back
and kept me looking down.
I believe I am everything God says
I am from this day forward, and
forever more. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Ephesians 1:11, 2:19
Romans 8:1
Romans 8:33–34
Romans 10:11
8 • Winning the Mind Wars
BreakIng the stronghold of unforgIveness
When we choose unforgiveness, we allow other strongholds to
gain influence in our lives. The effects of our unforgiveness are that far-
reaching and powerful. We can choose to live freely through forgive-
ness or be bound by a spirit of unforgiveness.
John 3:16
Matthew 18:24
Matthew 18:25
Exodus 34:7
Isaiah 1:18
Psalm 103:12
Hebrews 8:12
PreScripture Prayer for Unforgiveness
Father, it is beyond human comprehension
how you could love me so much that You would
send Jesus to pay the unspeakable price
for my sins, so I could be
forgiven and have eternal life.
I might never know the full extent of
the depths of forgiveness you have
afforded me. But, what I do know about
the depravity of my own sin, past,
present and future is that it is massive
and offensive to You.
Father, thank you for having compassion on me,
releasing me and forgiving me from the debt
I could never pay on my own.
Lord, thank you for being a God
who forgives my iniquity, my
transgressions and my sins.
Thank you that though my sins were red as
scarlet, you made them as white as snow,
and though my sins were red as crimson,
you made them as white as wool.
Thank you for removing my sins from me
as far as the east is from the west.
Thank you for remembering my sins
and lawless deeds no more.
Tearing Down Strongholds Through Prayer • 9
Thank you for cleansing and forgiving me from
all my sin and unrighteousness.
Today, right now, as an act of faith and
obedience, I choose to forgive those
who have hurt me and sinned against me,
just as you forgave me.
I offer others the same compassion,
release and forgiveness you gave me.
I choose to walk in forgiveness
and offer it continually.
I choose to love my enemies, bless those
who curse me, do good to those who hate me
and pray for those who spitefully
use me and persecute me.
I realize forgiveness is something I must do.
I repent of an unforgiving spirit
while needing forgiveness myself.
I refuse to let Satan take advantage
of me in this area any longer.
Father, because it is clearly your will,
I renounce the stronghold of
unforgiveness in my life, in Jesus’ name,
by His love, mercy and power. Amen!
1 John 1:9
Matthew 6:12
Matthew 18:25
Matthew 18:21–22
Matthew 5:44
Colossians 3:13
2 Samuel 12:1–9
2 Corinthians 2:11
10 • Winning the Mind Wars
PreScripture Prayer for Rejection
Father, I thank you that you love me
just like you love Jesus.
I praise you that you have chosen me
and called me royal, holy
and special in your sight.
You say I’m so valuable to you,
that I am your rich inheritance.
You have accepted me;
you have highly favored me.
You call me your beloved.
I am a part of your glorious bride.
You keep me as the apple of your eye.
Because I received Jesus
as my Lord and Savior,
you have received me as your child.
As your child, I am your heir,
a coheir with Jesus.
You have inscribed my name
on the palms of your hands.
Your thoughts toward me are
more than can be numbered.
You stick closer to me than a brother.
You have promised you will never
leave me or forsake me.
You have promised you will never
cast me away from your presence.
BreakIng the stronghold of rejectIon
To feel rejection is to feel devalued, dismissed and unwanted. Ev-
ery one of us will be genuinely rejected at some point in our lives. How
we respond to rejection, either real or perceived, determines whether a
rejection stronghold is allowed to flourish.
John 17:23
1 Peter 2:9
Psalm 28:9
Ephesians 1:6
Romans 9:25
Revelation 21:9
Deuteronomy 32:10
John 1:12
Romans 8:16–17
Isaiah 49:16
Psalm 40:5
Proverbs 18:24
Hebrews 13:5
John 6:37
Tearing Down Strongholds Through Prayer • 11
You love me with an everlasting love.
I praise you that nothing can
ever separate me from your love.
Lord, I repent for thinking others are
rejecting me when it isn’t true.
I repent for believing evil about others
and not believing the best about others.
Jesus, I repent for letting others’ opinions of me
own me and speak louder to me than
your loving, accepting, affirming voice.
Father, thank you for loving me,
choosing me, valuing me, accepting me,
favoring me, adopting me, thinking of me,
sticking with me, and for never leaving,
forsaking or rejecting me.
Thank you that nothing can
separate me from your love.
In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Jeremiah 31:3
Romans 8:38–39
1 Corinthians 13:5, 7
12 • Winning the Mind Wars
PreScripture Prayer for Depression
Father, I thank and praise you that you
comfort me when I mourn, that you give me
beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and
the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.
Thank you for turning my mourning into
dancing and removing my sackcloth and
clothing me with gladness.
Jesus, I love how you turn my sorrow to joy.
I’m grateful that your joy is my strength.
I praise you that through hearing and believing
your Word, your joy can remain in me.
Thank you that you desire for me
to have joy that is full.
I know that joy is part of your kingdom
and is available to me.
And, that joy is one of the fruits
of your Spirit at work within me.
I’m thankful that you fill me with your joy.
And, in your presence is the fullness of joy.
Lord, I choose to be thankful for all things.
And, in the midst of all things.
I choose to rejoice always because
this is your will for me.
Isaiah 61:3
Psalm 30:11
John 16:20
Nehemiah 8:10
John 15:11
John 16:24
Romans 14:17
Galatians 5:22
Acts 13:52
Psalm 16:11
Ephesians 5:20
1 Thessalonians 5:18
1 Thessalonians 5:16,18
BreakIng the stronghold of depressIon
Experiencing the stronghold of depression involves having a spirit
of heaviness and oppression, and leads to being downcast. (This is not
about a medical condition or a chemical imbalance—that’s a different
issue.) Every one of us will have a justifiable reason to be depressed
at some point in our lives, but it is how we respond that determines
whether or not a stronghold becomes established in our lives.
Tearing Down Strongholds Through Prayer • 13
Romans 8:28
Philippians 4:13
John 10:10
Philippians 4:8
Romans 15:13
I can do this because you make
all things work together for my good.
And, because I can do all things through
Jesus who strengthens me.
Jesus, I believe that the abundant life you
came to give everyone is mine, now.
Father, I repent of negative thinking
that has stolen my joy, I choose to meditate
on things that are true, noble, just, pure,
lovely, of a good report, things that are
virtuous and praise worthy.
God of hope, as I hear and believe your truth
fill me with all joy and peace, I want to abound
with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit,
in Jesus’ name, Amen!
14 • Winning the Mind Wars
BreakIng the stronghold of addIctIon
We live under the stronghold of addiction when we try to meet a
deep spiritual need with an unholy, destructive solution. When we suf-
fer under addiction, we are trying to find peace apart from the Prince of
Peace, salvation apart from the Savior, healing apart from the Healer,
satisfaction apart from the Satisfier, and this endless searching can
lead us to deeper levels of brokenness, addiction, bondage and strong-
holds that we may feel powerless to overcome. The bondage of addic-
tion can seem hopeless, but God’s redemption says you can be free!
PreScripture Prayer for Addiction
Father, thank you for visiting
and redeeming your people.
Thank you that Jesus is my Redeemer.
And, that Jesus came to set me free from sin,
bondage and addictions of all kinds.
I know whom Jesus sets free is free indeed.
And, that it was for freedom’s sake
that Jesus set me free.
Thank you, Father, that Jesus in me is
greater than anything in the world.
And, that my faith in Jesus gives me
the overcoming victory from this world.
Thank you, Father, that I have
the victory through Jesus.
Father, right now, I repent of
a sinful, addictive lifestyle.
Because it is clearly your will,
I renounce the strongholds of
addiction and bondage to sin.
I receive your cleansing and forgiveness.
I believe that by Jesus’ blood
Luke 1:68
1 Corinthians 1:30
Luke 4:18
John 8:32, 36
Galatians 5:1
1 John 4:4
1 John 5:4
1 Corinthians 15:57
John 8:11
1 John 1:9
Tearing Down Strongholds Through Prayer • 15
I have redemption and forgiveness.
I believe that Jesus’ blood is both precious
and powerful and that it was shed
for me and for my freedom.
I believe Jesus has redeemed me from
every lawless deed and purified me for
Himself and that I am special in His sight.
I’ve been redeemed and I know and believe
that I’m no longer a slave of sin.
I know and believe I’ve been freed from sin.
I know and believe I’m dead to sin.
I refuse to let sin reign in me.
I refuse to present myself to
sin and unrighteousness.
I will present myself to God for righteousness.
Because of what I know and believe about
redemption, sin has no dominion over me.
I’ve been redeemed, delivered, set free
and am now a slave of righteousness.
I believe that my redemption
has been settled for all eternity.
Thank you, God, for redeeming me
through Jesus Christ.
Redemption is my song from
this day forward and forever more,Amen!
Ephesians 1:7
1 Peter 1:18–20
Titus 2:14
Romans 6:6
Romans 6:7
Romans 6:11
Romans 6:12
Romans 6:13
Romans 6:13
Romans 6:14
Romans 6:17–18
Hebrews 9:12
Romans 3:24
Revelation 5:9
16 • Winning the Mind Wars
BreakIng the stronghold of prIde
Pride is the natural bent of human nature. Pride says, “I can take
care of myself. I don’t need God or anyone else.” Pride refuses to refer-
ence God as the great “I AM”, and instead leads us to live our own way
through “I will.” Pride limits us and hinders us from drawing upon God’s
ways and His unlimited resources.
PreScripture Prayer for Pride
Father, I choose to humble myself before you.
I’m grateful that you give grace
to the humble as I’m in great need of it.
I thank you, Lord Jesus, for
modeling humility—even to the point of
dying for me on the cross.
In light of what you’ve done for me,
I repent for my pride, arrogance and
haughtiness of heart. Forgive me for
the way I’ve allowed them to shape
my thinking, my attitudes, my actions,
my words and my relationships.
I repent for exalting myself,
placing my will above yours.
I repent for my independent attitude—
isolating myself from others that you’ve placed
in my life for my blessing and benefit.
I repent for my stubbornness of soul,
always having to be right and refusing
to receive the counsel of those
you’ve placed in my life.
I repent for walking in self-righteousness—
I see how ugly, empty and
self-centered it is before you.
2 Chronicles 34:27
James 4:6
Philippians 2:5–8
Jeremiah 48:29
Daniel 4:28–37
Romans 12:3–8
Psalm 81:11–13
Luke 18:9–14
Tearing Down Strongholds Through Prayer • 17
Thank you that you lead the humble and
teach them your way. I choose both
humility and your way today.
I commit to seek both you and
humility with my whole heart.
As a chosen one of God, who is holy
and beloved, I now put on humility
that you might be demonstrated both
in and through my life.
I clothe myself this day with humility
in my relationships, willing to be known
for who I really am, while acknowledging
my desperate need for others in my life.
I’m asking you to help me see the significance
of those you’ve placed in my life,
relating to them out of true humility of heart,
expressing gentleness and patience,
while bearing with them out of love.
I also receive the reward of humility and
the fear of the Lord: riches, honor and life.
This day, in the mighty name of Jesus,
I renounce and break the stronghold of pride
and all it’s expression—in my life and
over my family for generations to come.
I embrace humility and invite you to work it
in to every area of my life that Jesus might be
revealed and glorified in a greater way,
both in me and through me. Amen!
Psalm 25:9
Zephaniah 2:3
Colossians 3:12
1 Peter 5:5;
1 Corinthians 12:14–27
Philippians 2:3;
Ephesians 4:2
Proverbs 22:4
18 • Winning the Mind Wars
BreakIng the stronghold of unBelIef
Unbelief is not believing or trusting God’s character, His ways
and His Word. Unbelief literally means, “littleness of faith.” It decides
what God can or cannot do, will or will not do and how He does or
does not operate. When matched with fear, unbelief may show itself in
self-protective coping mechanisms, such as manipulation and control.
When stemming from pride and rebellion, unbelief can be masked as
realism, intellectualism or practicality. Faith, on the other hand, knows
and believes that God is willing and able to do what He says.
PreScripture Prayer for Unbelief
Father, I recognize that my walk with you
is not based on sight, but by faith.
Thank you that you live in me and that
my faith is grounded in your love, which has
been expressed by laying your life down for me.
I understand that without faith it is impossible to
please you, and that you reward
those who draw near to you, believe in you
and diligently seek you.
As a follower of Jesus, I repent for where I have
lived and walked in unbelief, not embracing
your character, words, ways and promises.
I repent of my skepticism, which has
blinded me from seeing your hand at work
in and around my life.
I repent of my pessimism and negativity,
not recognizing your awesome ability
to intervene and redeem any circumstance
for my good and your glory.
I repent for my critical attitude and I ask you
to forgive me for fault finding and
2 Corinthians 5:7
Galatians 2:20
Hebrews 11:6
Hebrews 3:12–19
Mark 16:12–14
Psalm 78:19–20
Tearing Down Strongholds Through Prayer • 19
using my words to tear others down.
I repent for grumbling, murmuring and
complaining, which has revealed
my littleness of faith in your divine ability
to come through for me.
I repent for giving my life over to anxiety and
worry, not referencing your intimate care and
concern for me as my Father in heaven.
I repent for picking up offenses,
and not recognizing that in the midst of
what’s going on, that you may very well
be establishing your purposes.
I recommit this day to walk in faith in Jesus—
being assured within of things hoped for,
while walking with conviction of things I don’t
see but know to be true from your Word.
I determine by your grace to trust the Lord
with ALL my heart, not leaning on my own
understanding, but rather bringing you
in to everything I do, knowing that
you’ll make my paths straight
Teach me how to wield the shield of faith
so I can withstand and extinguish
the flaming arrows of the evil one.
I embrace afresh your desire to walk
with me each day, to answer my mountain-
moving prayers, and to do great works through
my life for your purposes and glory.
With all this in mind, in the all-powerful name
of Jesus, I renounce and break the stronghold
of unbelief—and all of its various expressions—
in my life and over my family for generations to
come. I fully embrace faith and trust, and invite
you to firmly establish them in my life,
that Jesus might be revealed and glorified in
a greater way, both in and through me. Amen!
Romans 14:10, 12
Psalm 106:21, 24–25
Philippians 4:6–7
Mark 13:53–57
Hebrews 11:1–3
Proverbs 3:5–6
Ephesians 6:13, 16
Matthew 17:20;
John 14:12
20 • Winning the Mind Wars
BreakIng the stronghold of anger
Anger is “a violent passion of the mind excited by a real or sup-
posed injury; usually accompanied with a propensity to take ven-
geance, or to obtain satisfaction from the offending party.”3 Anger can
also come when we don’t get our way, and that selfish attitude can
cause us to be angry with God. Anger is either righteously or sinfully
based depending on its degree, object and desire. Anger is sinful when
it’s without sufficient cause or transcends the cause, when it is against
the person and not the offense, when it is intended for revenge, when it
is heightened by reflection (stewing on an issue) and when it breeds in
us an unforgiving spirit.
PreScripture Prayer for Anger
Father, thank you for being merciful,
gracious and slow to anger. Thank you
for abounding in goodness and truth,
and keeping mercy for thousands and for
forgiving my iniquity, transgression and sin.
Thank you for forgetting my sins and lawless
deeds and remembering them no more.
Thank you for not being angry with me.
Because you have forgiven my past completely,
blessed my present abundantly and
guaranteed my future extravagantly,
I no longer need to live an angry, bitter life.
I repent of and renounce marinating in
negativity, bitterness, wrath, anger,
clamor, evil speaking and malice.
I repent of making a place for the devil
to work in and through me
that has caused me to hurt others.
I repent of wanting vengeance against
Exodus 34:6–7
Hebrews 8:12
Galatians 2:20
Ephesians 4:26, 31
Ephesians 4:27
3 The American and English Encyclopedia of Law, Volume 2 (Long Island, NY: Edward Thompson Co. Publishers, 1896), 340.
Tearing Down Strongholds Through Prayer • 21
the people who have injured me and forgetting
that vengeance is yours alone.
I receive your forgiveness and
cleansing right now.
Today, I renounce Satan and
all of his angry, destructive ways.
I will no longer walk in angry foolishness.
I will no longer stir up strife.
I will rule my spirit and therefore no longer
be vulnerable to the enemy’s attacks.
Right now, in the name of Jesus and
by His authority, I tear down the stronghold
of sinful anger over my life.
I choose to cooperate with the Holy Spirit
and allow love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, gentleness and
self-control to rule my life.
Father, I will give to others what
You have given me—mercy, grace, kindness,
tenderheartedness and forgiveness.
In Jesus’ name, amen!
Romans 12:19
1 John 1:9
Matthew 4:10
Proverbs 14:17
Proverbs 15:18
Proverbs 25:28
2 Corinthians 10:3–5
Galatians 5:22–23
Psalm 103:8;
Ephesians 4:32
22 • Winning the Mind Wars
BreakIng the stronghold of defeatIsm
When we feel defeated and want to give up, we fall prey to a litany
of negative thoughts such as: “You’ll never . . . ,” “You can’t . . . ,” “You
won’t . . . ,” “You didn’t . . . ,” “You should have . . .” These lies can
seem real and can easily distract us from what God has called us to do,
to be satisfied with what we’ve done for Him or to cause us to give up
because we don’t want to face the unending questions of doubt and
the perfectionistic expectations the enemy plants in our heads.
PreScripture Prayer for Defeatism
Father, thank you that because you are for me
it doesn’t matter who is against me.
Thank you that your Presence always and
constantly accompanies me.
That I am in-dwelt by your Son.
And, that I am empowered by your Spirit.
Thank you for being my friend and
for staying closer to me than a brother.
I praise you that you will never
leave me or forsake me.
And, though I fall seven times, I will rise again.
Thank you that I never stop
being the apple of your eye.
Because of all I mean to you,
you have afforded me the way to be
successful and prosperous.
I bless you for making me the head and
not the tail, for letting me only be
above and never being beneath.
Thank you for blessing me with
every spiritual blessing in Christ.
Thank you for giving me everything
I need for life and godliness.
Romans 8:31
Exodus 33:14
Colossians 1:27
Acts 1:8
Proverbs 18:24
Hebrews 13:5
Proverbs 24:16
Deuteronomy 32:10
Joshua 1:7–8
Deuteronomy 28:13
Ephesians 1:3
2 Peter 1:3
Tearing Down Strongholds Through Prayer • 23
Thank you for giving me
all the power over the enemy.
God, I repent of listening to and
esteeming Satan’s voice over yours.
Today, I renounce and tear down the loser
stronghold that has plagued my life.
I receive your forgiveness and
cleansing right now.
I know I am more than a conqueror in Christ.
I know that I can do all things through
Christ who strengthens me.
In Jesus’ name, from this moment forward
and forever more, I am who you say I am,
and you say I am a victorious overcomer.
Thank you for always leading me
in triumph in Christ.
I win, I win, I win!
I believe this, I receive this and I’m going
to walk in this, for your honor and glory.
In Jesus’ name, amen!
Luke 10:17–20
2 Corinthians 10:3–4
1 John 1:9
Romans 8:37
Philippians 4:13
1 John 5:4
1 Corinthians 15:57
Revelation 21–22
© 2013 by Steve Berger
Published in Franklin, Tennessee, by Grace Chapel, Inc.www.gracechapel.net
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or other—except for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, with-out the prior written permission of the publisher.
Cover Design by Matt DolanPage Layout by Bart Dawson
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